Tag: 1990s

  • The (Mis)Education of AIDS Storylines on TV Shows: The Golden Girls

    The (Mis)Education of AIDS Storylines on TV Shows: The Golden Girls

    before the advent of social media and digital organizing, network television played an integral role in raising awareness about social issues. this often resulted in sometimes dramatic and/or awful “very special” episodes of popular sitcoms. this series unpacks and revisits some of these shows with a historical lens. the golden…

  • MARTHA WASH

    MARTHA WASH

    martha wash is one of the greatest vocalists in music history. and i would wager my mariah carey cd collection (which at this moment is 250 plus of cds, cassettes, and vinyl) that you have shaken your ass to a martha wash record. in the late 1970s, marta got her…

  • Remember the RuPaul Show Christmas Special

    Remember the RuPaul Show Christmas Special

    growing up in the 1980s, tv christmas specials were usually over-the-top variety shows that featured musical numbers and sub-par comedic skits by d-list celebrities of yesteryear. and baby, i loved everything about them all! the gowns. the make-up. and celebrities singing “don we now our gay apparel.” it was this…

  • LADY CATIRIA

    LADY CATIRIA

    Catiria Reyes, widely known as Lady Catiria, was a Puerto Rican trans woman born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Like many young queer and transgender boricuas, Lady Catiria grew up idolizing the beloved, campy but glamorous Puerto Rican entertainer Iris Chacón. Known as “La Bomba de Puerto”, Chacón’s flamboyant, revealing outfits,…

  • The (Mis)Education of AIDS Storylines on TV Shows: The Hogan Family

    The (Mis)Education of AIDS Storylines on TV Shows: The Hogan Family

    the hogan family, originally titled “valerie” before the title character was killed off at the start of its third season in 1988, was an american sitcom starring jason bateman that revolved around three teenage brothers who were being raised in oak park, illinois by their airline pilot father and their…

  • Songs That I Loved: Taylor Dayne’s “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love”

    Songs That I Loved: Taylor Dayne’s “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love”

    chyle, picture it. summer of 1993 in philadelphia. my good friend at the time, oscar, came to my house and said “i was just at a gay club and it was amazing. they have teen night (18 & older) on wednesdays. i am taking you.” i was 16 and although…

  • Earvin Magic Johnson

    Earvin Magic Johnson

    1991 marked a decade of what it is now regarded as the AIDS crisis. the hope that emerged after the introduction of AZT, the first FDA approved pill to treat HIV, began to diminish after the death toll exceeded 100,000 in june 1991. by the end of the year, AIDS…

  • Songs That I Loved: Mariah Carey’s “Emotions”

    Songs That I Loved: Mariah Carey’s “Emotions”

    chyle, some of my favorite childhood memories are when my mother allowed us to skip school so we could go with her to get her check. back then, you had to go to an actual bank and stand in line to get your public assistance which at that time was…

  • Playlist: The Iconic Experience

    Playlist: The Iconic Experience

    It’s Friday and we love playlist! Curated by Philly’s own Icon Ebony Fierce, “The Iconic Experience” is inspired by the legendary djs of the 90s, and high glam drag. This mood boosting playlist blends deep house, garage, new jack swing, Detroit techno and hip house to brighten your day. The…

  • GEORGE MICHAEL

    GEORGE MICHAEL

    to be a global pop star who was gay but not out during the height of the AIDS epidemic meant living in closets that were never to be vacated. It meant contending with being loved and adored by a world that was simultaneously waiting with baited breath to stigmatize you…

  • Songs That Soundtracked the AIDS Epidemic: Spice Girls “Holler”

    Songs That Soundtracked the AIDS Epidemic: Spice Girls “Holler”

    “I want to make you holler, and make you scream my name” a song on the third studio album of The Spice Girls, opens up with a sonic reference to TLC’s “No Scrubs” and was released in the UK on October 23, 2000, three days before my 17th birthday. The…

  • ZELMA DAVIS

    ZELMA DAVIS

    zelma davis should be a household name! as the principal vocalist of the über successful 1990s dance group c+c music factory, the liberian multi-faceted performer sang the hooks on four of the group’s #1 dance singles including two top 5 hits on the hot 100. unfortunately, after the lip-syncing scandal…